What are the Most Common Causes of Vision Problems and Blindness?

There is no lack of issues that could worsen or end your vision. We treat them every day and know how they impact our patients’ quality of life. Knowing we make a difference for them gets us to the office every day. Below are the more common vision problems facing Americans. If you have symptoms, contact our office so we can help.
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The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), causes less sharp and reduced central vision. AMD involves the macula, the central part of the retina, which allows the eye to see fine details. There are two types of AMD:
  • Wet AMD happens if abnormal blood vessels behind the retina grow under the macula, leading to blood and fluid leakage. Bleeding, leaking, and scarring causes harm and rapid central vision loss.
  • Dry AMD occurs when the macula thins, blurring central vision. The dry form accounts for 70–90% of cases of AMD.
The estimated number of Americans with AMD this year is 2.95 million. It’s the top reason for permanent impairment of fine or close-up vision for those 65 and older. A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s lens. It’s the top reason for blindness worldwide and the leading cause of vision loss in the US. Though it’s most common in older people, cataracts can occur at any age. The total number of Americans with cataracts is expected to reach 30.1 million this year. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the top cause of blindness in American adults. It’s a complication of diabetes, causing increasing damage to the retina’s blood vessels. You can lessen the risks of getting DR through effective diabetes management. Early diagnosis and treatment also reduce the chances of vision loss. Glaucoma is a group of diseases damaging the eye’s optic nerve, causing vision loss and blindness. It happens when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, though it may occur with normal eye pressure too. Early treatment can be key to protect your eyes against serious vision loss. Amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” is the most common cause of vision impairment in children. The condition occurs because an eye and the brain don’t work together, reducing the eye’s vision. The eye appears normal, but it’s not used normally because the brain favors the other eye. Amblyopia usually continues into adulthood if it’s not successfully treated in childhood. It’s the most common cause of permanent one-eye vision impairment among children, young and middle-aged adults. Strabismus is imbalanced positioning of the eyes. It causes the eyes to cross or turn out. The condition is due to a lack of coordination between the eyes. They look in different directions and don’t focus simultaneously on a single point. The cause for most childhood cases of strabismus is unknown. If you have questions about any of these conditions or you’re showing any of their symptoms, contact the Lehigh Valley Center for Sight at 610-437-4988. You can also fill out our contact form. Reach out to us so we can start the conversation and work together to protect your sight. Houman Ahdieh, MD Lehigh Valley Center for Sight https://www.lvcenter4sight.com eyedoc@lvcenter4sight.com

https://www.lvcenter4sight.com/what-are-the-most-common-causes-of-vision-problems-and-blindness/

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